Sweden is on high alert ahead of Eurovision next week, and specifically Malmo where the event will be held. This is due to Israel’s participation in the competition and an anti-Israeli and pro-Palestinian sentiment that pervaded the city, as well as among many of the competition’s fans.
Large anti-Israel demonstrations planned
Outside the arena where the competition will be held, large demonstrations are planned against Israel’s participation. This comes after months of controversy that made the competition politically charged in an unprecedented way. Among others, the lyrics to the Israeli song had to be altered as per the request of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) so that they would not echo the October 7 massacre.
Artists and musicians from around the world, including a thousand Swedes, signed an open letter earlier this year calling for Israel’s exclusion from the competition.
